427 
RESPECTABILITY OF THE PROFESSION. 
By J. Tombs, M.R.C.V.S., Stratford-on-Avon. 
Sir, — M uch has been said lately about the respectability of 
the veterinary profession. I cannot agree with those who 
assert that it is in a degraded and servile state ; in fact, it is 
just the reverse; for I know full well that a veterinary surgeon 
is as much respected as any other professional man, provided 
he conducts himself with propriety on all occasions. It is too 
true, I am sorry to confess, that there are a few black sheep 
amongst us, who disreputably give discount to gentlemen’s 
servants when their master’s bills are paid ; also some who keep 
low company and live intemperately. Such are like angels’ 
visits, “few and far between;” therefore, why should the whole 
profession be condemned for the delinquencies of a few] All 
that we want is our common interests advanced, which I believe 
could be done by suppressing empiricism and the publication 
of cheap veterinary literature (trash]). Another grand point 
would be, the obtainment of an act (now before parliament) to 
prevent us serving on juries, parochial offices, &c., all of which 
I have had more than an ordinary share of. The inconveniences 
of serving offices and being summoned on juries I have found 
to be manifold. Patients neglected — business at a stand-still — 
and instead of cash coming in, going out; and last, though not 
least, some people think that surgeons must necessarily be of a 
higher grade in society than veterinary surgeons, inasmuch as 
they are exempt from serving on juries, &c. 
CASE OF ACUTE DIARRHCEA IN A MILCH COW. 
By the same. 
May \7th, 1851. — Was apparently well last night. At 
10 A.M. I saw her, when the following symptoms were manifest: 
Pulse quick, and almost imperceptible ; looks back, kicks her 
belly immediately preceding an evacuation ; voids half a bucket- 
ful of liquid matter at a time, which she does frequently — (I 
am informed by the owner that she was blown before the first 
liquid faecal motion); strains violently, and then voids mucus, 
which emits an intolerable stench ; continual rattling of the 
bowels; extremities, skin, horns, and ears cold ; the latter droop 
from loss of muscular energy ; no dew on the nose ; eyes sunk 
